Michelle Yates burst onto the scene with the Tigers this season, scoring two goals in her first appearance with the black and gold. It was a great start for the fifth-year midfielder, who spent the first four years of her career with none other than AV俱乐部鈥檚 most fierce rival, the Saint Mary鈥檚 Huskies.
Yates was an AUS first-team all-star twice in her career and she was named a CIS second-team all-Canadian in 2012 on a scrappy, hardworking team that often exceeded expectations. She adds leadership and experience to a young Tigers squad.
Michelle grew up just outside of Halifax in Fall River, N.S. and playing for Suburban FC. She started playing soccer for the social aspect, like many of us. (She also was into ballet as a kid, but she says that鈥檚 another story!)
When it came time to decide on a school when she graduated high school, she鈥檚 pretty honest on what made her decision. Despite having a family of AV俱乐部 alumni, she chose to travel a little farther down Robie Street to Saint Mary鈥檚.
鈥淭o be completely honest, I made my decision to go to Saint Mary鈥檚 at pretty much the last minute,鈥� says Yates. "A lot of my friends were going there, and I wanted to stay local.鈥�
On her time with the Huskies, she says she has nothing but good memories playing with a smaller program.
鈥淚 had a really good time at SMU to be honest,鈥� laughs Yates. 鈥淧eople ask me what it鈥檚 like now to play at Dal, and I honestly love both, but I did have a great time at SMU.鈥�
Aiming for a championship
One thing Yates never got to experience with the Huskies was an AUS championship. Being a smaller school, they would have to try and outwork their opponents as they had smaller numbers than many programs. She says that some years as little as 15 people would try out for the team, in sharp contrast to the 30-40 that tryout for Dal.
Now with the Tigers, she says the environment is much more competitive, and that everyone on the team, whether they鈥檙e a bench player or a redshirt, can find themselves in the lineup at any given time if they play well.
鈥淭heir work rate is much higher here [at Dal],鈥� says Yates. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e very driven, and the fitness levels are much higher. Coming into training camp, most of the girls did very well in the fitness training which was very impressive to me.鈥�
She says the Tigers coaching staff has been great and has been very helpful in her transition. She says the four-man coaching staff is very good at giving different opinions and views on her game and helps aid her progression.
Coming to the Tigers wasn鈥檛 a completely new experience for Yates, as she鈥檇 already played with many of the Tigers previously in summer soccer and knew their playing styles and preferences.
When asked about what she thinks this team is capable of this year, she鈥檚 cautiously optimistic, and knows that the AUS is an incredibly tough league.
鈥淵ou need to have heart,鈥� explains Yates. 鈥淵ou can have a great team, and still finish bottom of the barrel. Obviously, we鈥檙e very lucky to be hosting the AUS championship, but you鈥檝e got to take it one game at a time. Any team can beat any team in this league.鈥�
Watch Yates and the Tigers this Saturday as they host the Cape Breton Capers at 1 p.m.!